Biggest Rush Mistakes at any institution

[UGAalum94]

Yeah, I'm sure it's probably regional. I don't think the guys who belong to the group I mean even think about it and wouldn't probably think about it as a fashion rule; it's kind of anti-fashion really. They just get to a stage when a polo and khakis is dressed down enough for most of their casual activities. I don't think there's a comfort difference between jeans and khakis, really.

And I don't think the guys I mean are the kind of folks who pay a lot of attentions to clothes and brands anyway; they're just kind of traditionalist and would notice if someone was wearing something trendy or inappropriate.

As far as I know, there's no ceremony that takes place upon the 23rd birthday removing jeans from closets.

I can't really think of any events for which jeans and t-shirts would necessarily be expected down here, but I can imagine there'd be some in the west.

[MysticCat]

^^^ I see what you're saying, and I completely agree that what's accepted/expected varies from region to region. (BTW, I don't know if you were thinking about me when you speculated about jeans and tee shirts "in the west," but I'm in North Carolina.)

As for a comfort difference between jeans and chinos, there's a definite comfort difference in the summer.

And on that note, FantASTic, when we go camping between June and September, we wear chinos (or shorts) as well. Otherwise, everyone is in jeans.

Oh well, it's late and I need to go take my jeans off and get ready for bed.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

^^^ I see what you're saying, and I completely agree that what's accepted/expected varies from region to region. (BTW, I don't know if you were thinking about me when you speculated about jeans and tee shirts "in the west," but I'm in North Carolina.)

As for a comfort difference between jeans and chinos, there's a definite comfort difference in the summer.

And on that note, FantASTic, when we go camping between June and September, we wear chinos (or shorts) as well. Otherwise, everyone is in jeans.

Oh well, it's late and I need to go take my jeans off and get ready for bed.

I wear jeans even at my advanced age in Georgia as well, but I wouldn't wear them to a social event typically.

I did think you were in Denver for some reason, but I was really just thinking about places and events for which jeans be actually be expected on adults, not just acceptable. Rodeos for sure, maybe chili contests or huge BBQ events, and chuck wagon cook offs? In the west, I think you can wear jeans anyplace almost, especially if you are an actual rancher.

What would you say they are expected at in North Carolina, in the sense that you'd seem like you were wound too tight if you showed up in something else?

Hunting, fishing, camping sure, but I can't think of much that would be primarily a social event.

It's been kind of interesting to think about.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

I wear jeans even at my advanced age in Georgia as well, but I wouldn't wear them to a social event typically.

Oh, please don't go there -- my age is more advanced than yours.

I did think you were in Denver for some reason

Did you have me confused with DeltAlum on location, maybe?

What would you say they are expected at in North Carolina, in the sense that you'd seem like you were wound too tight if you showed up in something else?

I would say there are some kinds of parties -- say, a pig pickin' or an oyster roast -- at which jeans or chinos would be equally appropriate/expected. (Even that could vary, though. For example, I wouldn't wear jeans to a pig pickin' being thrown to honor an engaged couple -- a very common thing in Eastern NC. But just a run-of-the-mill, 'cause-it's-my-birthday or 'cause-we-wanted-to pig pickin', sure.)

What's going to lead to some snickering about being wound too tight is if no one ever sees you in jeans.

[fantASTic]

They wear shorts when it's hot, obviously - pretty much all year around, actually. I rarely see them in pants. No jorts, though

[PhiGam]

When I say khakis of course I mean Khaki colored chinos. When talking about different colors I use "chinos".

[KenUDiggit]

I live in Tennessee and I see a lot of guys wear jeans.

[maxdielr]

there is nothing wrong on wearing jeans to some places or most of the places, i agree that they are some events that guys absolutly should not wear jeans.
in our chapter there is only 2 guys that are over 22 , one of then wear jeans everywhere, the otherone ocasionally.

[Drolefille]

No one around here says chinos. Khakis mean khaki colored pants of any style and any other type of pants are referred to by color.

/Midwest

[sasquatch]

Ok, guys, sorry for taking so long to reply. Let me clear a few things up.

Some people are taking things too literally. I said jeans are only OK after a certain age when on the farm, but use some common sense. You should take that to mean anytime you're doing some kind of work that might get messy.

What I'm saying about the whole khakis/jeans thing is not crazy talk. In the South, in certain circles, it is NOT acceptable to wear jeans after you graduate in ANY social situation that does not revolve around some kind of outdoor activity. Don't take that to mean being outside because just because you're outside doesn't make it an outdoor activity.

I never said it wasn't OK to wear jeans to class, etc. That's fine. The difference is that in the South most guys don't buy jeans with the intention of going to the bars in them. They buy them for their purpose: working. That's not to say that they won't go to the bars in them but they probably realize that they are BARELY appropriate and it's just one reason that jeans are not as common in social situations.

Lastly, I DO wear jeans to class sometimes when it's cold out. I even wear them to parties/the bar sometimes when it's cold out. I just realize that they will not be appropriate for social situations in a couple years, and that's fine because khakis are more comfortable anyways.

I think this all boils down to one thing: TRADITION. My dad taught me how to dress, his dad taught him how to dress, and it goes on like that. Going off that point, it seems (and someone correct me if I'm wrong) that in well to do social circles in the North, dressing "stylishly" is much more important than simply dressing appropriately. In the South it's the opposite.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by sasquatch

I think this all boils down to one thing: TRADITION. My dad taught me how to dress, his dad taught him how to dress, and it goes on like that. Going off that point, it seems (and someone correct me if I'm wrong) that in well to do social circles in the North, dressing "stylishly" is much more important than simply dressing appropriately. In the South it's the opposite.

You totally missed the point.

In the North, in many situations, wearing jeans IS dressing appropriately. It's freaking cold here and wind blows up your khakis/chinos/whatevers.

Yes there are clubs and events where men are expected to wear dress pants and ties. They are not the norm for 22 year old men on their weekends, however.

This is starting to remind me of the chapter consultant we had who criticized our "casual" dress and didn't understand why we weren't wearing silk blouses, dress pants and flats every day to class. BECAUSE WE HAVE HILLS. BECAUSE WE HAVE SNOW. BECAUSE IT'S FREAKING COLD. I would love to wear cute sundresses and sandals every day, but I'm not going to, because I'm not an idiot - I want to be warm.

[sasquatch]

Originally Posted by 33girl

You totally missed the point.

In the North, in many social situations, wearing jeans IS dressing appropriately. It's freaking cold here and wind blows up your khakis/chinos/whatevers.

Yes there are clubs and events where men are expected to wear dress pants and ties. They are not the norm for 22 year old men on their weekends, however.

This is starting to remind me of the chapter consultant we had who criticized our "casual" dress and didn't understand why we weren't wearing silk blouses, dress pants and flats every day to class. BECAUSE WE HAVE HILLS. BECAUSE WE HAVE SNOW. BECAUSE IT'S FREAKING COLD. I would love to wear cute sundresses and sandals every day, but I'm not going to, because I'm not an idiot - I want to be warm.

Khakis are just as warm as jeans...

Sorry, but I don't believe that wearing jeans is appropriate for any career holding adult with GOOD TASTE in a social situation. I never said anything about ties or dress pants. Khakis are not dress pants. Jeans here bring up connotation of the blue collar working class or adolescence and those are both something to be avoided in many social circles (eg, Greek alumni).

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by sasquatch

What I'm saying about the whole khakis/jeans thing is not crazy talk. In the South, in certain circles, it is NOT acceptable to wear jeans after you graduate in ANY social situation that does not revolve around some kind of outdoor activity. Don't take that to mean being outside because just because you're outside doesn't make it an outdoor activity.

I think this all boils down to one thing: TRADITION. My dad taught me how to dress, his dad taught him how to dress, and it goes on like that. Going off that point, it seems (and someone correct me if I'm wrong) that in well to do social circles in the North, dressing "stylishly" is much more important than simply dressing appropriately. In the South it's the opposite.

If you want to qualify your statements, I may stop saying your claims = stupid.

And by qualify, I mean "in some parts of the South, in certain circles . . . ." I live in the South, too, had a traditional upbringing and lead a fairly traditional life, move in circles where knowing how to dress properly is expected, my dad taught me how to dress, and on and on and on.

I'm always amazed whenever these North-South discussions come up at how many people, including some Southerners, describe the South or Southern culture as a monolithic thing. Sure, there are some clear commonalities across the South, but there isn't one "Southern culture" or "Southern tradition." What's expected or usual in Alabama or Mississippi may not be what expected or usual in the Carolinas or in Arkansas. As far as that goes, what's expected or usual in Eastern North Carolina can differ a great deal from what's expected in Western North Carolina, even if one is comparing similar "social circles." Virginian Southern culture (to the extent there is any of it left) is quite different from Florida Southern culture (same disclaimer as Virginia). Texas and Louisiana are Southern cultures unto themselves.

Describe how things are where you live and in the circles in which you move. But don't assume that things are just like that all across the South, and that what you experience and have learned is the only "Southern culture."

[ETA]: But with this, I may have to go back to saying your comments = stupid:

Originally Posted by sasquatch

Sorry, but I don't believe that wearing jeans is appropriate for any career holding adult with GOOD TASTE in a social situation.

[sasquatch]

I think everything has been covered as far as this mini-debate goes, so I'm just gonna say this: If you go to an SEC school, then you probably get what I'm talking about. If you don't go to an SEC school (even if it is in the South), you probably don't get it and if you don't get it right away then you never will. I just realized it's pointless to keep arguing about all this South/North stuff because one side will always be "right". I think you look like an idiot in your faded designer jeans and your ugly striped untucked button down with frankenstein square shoes. You think I look like an idiot in my khakis, oxford and loafers.

[srmom]

Sorry, but I don't believe that wearing jeans is appropriate for any career holding adult with GOOD TASTE in a social situation. I never said anything about ties or dress pants. Khakis are not dress pants. Jeans here bring up connotation of the blue collar working class or adolescence and those are both something to be avoided in many social circles

Maybe it's a Texas thing, or maybe it's just a maturity thing, but many people with extremely good taste, who are definitely not working-class wear jeans and t shirts.

I was at a high school basketball playoff game Tuesday night, and the stands were full of men who were in jeans and t shirts supporting our team. Most of these men were in fraternities while in college, all are college graduates, and all have executive level positions (unless they are ex-executives who took the golden parachute or trust funders who invested well, then they are unemployed).

While I will agree with you that at most social situations, such as dinner parties or get togethers, men are in dress pants or chinos, there are many other situations, beyond yard work or ranching, where men wear jeans.

I want to edit and add that last night while watching Project Runway, Michael Korrs described why he always wears jeans with a t shirt and sport coat. I would hardly call him blue collar!